Two people were viciously knifed in the street during a night out with friends.
Two people were stabbed in a "senseless" attack in Goose Green in Altrincham. A 31-year-old man was fatally stabbed and a teenager, 17, remains in hospital with serious injuries in the early hours of Sunday, August 21.
The stabbing victim, who died in hospital, has been named as Tyson Fury's cousin Rico Burton. Fury made an emotional plea to his cousin following his death and urged the government to tackle the knife crime "pandemic".
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Members of the public were praise after running to Mr Burton's aid to try and give the 31-year-old first aid in a desperate bid to save his life. Greater Manchester Police is urging any witnesses to continue to come forward with information or footage as the murder investigation continues.
Detective Superintendent Ben Ewart confirmed to the Manchester Evening News two men had been arrested and remain in custody during a press conference on Sunday afternoon. He branded the attack as "senseless" and confirmed Rico Burton as the victim.
Superintendent Ewart said: “Both victims should have returned home this morning after enjoying a night out with friends. “Everything suggests at this stage that [Mr Burton] was enjoying an evening out with friends, and this has taken place spontaneously and unplanned – it’s a very tragic ending to what should have been a good night out with friends.
“At around 3am this morning on Sunday August 21, emergency services received multiple calls about a disturbance in Goose Green in Altrincham. On arrival, we found a 17-year-old male and a 31-year-old man with stab wounds receiving first aid from members of the public before officers and paramedics took over.
“Both males were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where sadly the 31-year-old man succumbed to his injuries and died. I can confirm that male is Rico Burton. The 17-year-old remains in hospital with serious injuries.
“Can I take this opportunity first to pass on my sincere condolences to Rico’s family and friends, and also praise the members of the public who stepped in and provided first aid.”
Rico Burton was described as "an absolute talent" with a "great sense of humour" who was "always smiling" in heartfelt tributes following his death on Sunday.
Detective Superintendent Ewart added: “A 21-year-old man was arrested at the scene, and a short while later, a 20-year-old male was further arrested in connection with this incident, and both remain in custody. This is without doubt a senseless attack and both victims should have returned home this morning after enjoying a night out with friends.
“Goose Green is a popular nightspot and would have been busy at the time and I appeal for anyone who was there overnight on Saturday August 20 or anyone with information about this incident including phone photograph footage or videos to come forward, in particular any friends of any of the victims or suspects who may have been out with them that night who has not yet come forward.
“We have increased police controls in the area and knife crime remains a priority for Greater Manchester Police, the devastating effects of which have been demonstrated this morning.”
The police said it was a "very live" investigation. But Detective Superintendent Ewart did not confirm if there was a connection between the perpetrators and the victims. He said: "There are a number of people we need to identify and that's again why I stress that anyone who was out with these groups come forward."
Asked about Tyson Fury's post, Detective Superintendent Ewart said: “I am aware of the media circulation. I can’t confirm whether there is a connection with the family. It remains a number one priority of ours to remove knives from the street and try to tackle these kinds of incidents.”
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